The citric acid cycle is a series of oxidation reactions that removes carbon atoms from substrates in the form of CO₂.Where do the oxygen atoms in the carbon dioxide molecules come from?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The oxygen atoms in the carbon dioxide molecules produced during the citric acid cycle come from water molecules. These oxygen atoms are incorporated into metabolic intermediates before being released as CO2.

The Citric Acid Cycle Is a Series of Oxidation Reactions